Agenda Profile: Tõnis Lukas

The political position is strongly nationalistic and oriented toward the defense of the constitution, emphasizing the dominant role of the Estonian language in the public sphere and service sector. The highest priority is the rapid closure of legal loopholes to prevent the massive circumvention of the law and the loss of national self-confidence. The speaker criticizes the government’s delaying tactics, calling them disastrous and criminal, and prioritizes a value-based approach to thinking as a state nation.

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the Language Act and the operational organization of the Language Board (Keeleamet), highlighting specific paragraphs and enforcement challenges (e.g., taxi drivers, platform work). They cite statistics (80,000 employees lacking language proficiency) and refer to complaints made to the Language Board and the yearbooks published by KAPO (the Estonian Internal Security Service), connecting the language issue directly to security concerns. They are also highly knowledgeable about legislative procedures, referencing the draft legislative intentions (VTK) and criticizing the time delays associated with them.

The style is extremely urgent, cautionary, and at times alarmist, emphasizing that any delay is "disastrous" and "criminal" regarding the Estonian language. It utilizes both emotional appeals to national self-confidence and self-respect, as well as detailed legal arguments aimed at closing legal loopholes. The speaker is direct and accusatory, naming the potential interests behind the actions of opposing parties (Bolt) and using metaphors (e.g., "the train has left").

The speaker refers to their previous activities as the Minister of Education and Research (2022 work plan) and Isamaa's repeated submissions of draft legislation, demonstrating continuous action in resolving the language question. They actively participate in the discussions of the Riigikogu Cultural Affairs Committee and repeatedly submit amendments to the bill, despite the government's opposition.

The primary opponents are the governing coalition (the Reform Party and the Social Democrats), who face criticism for deliberately stalling the legislative process—a move the speaker deems contrary to Estonia's national interests. The speaker directly accuses them of caving to pressure from the Bolt company, which has systematically employed workers who do not speak Estonian. The criticism is intense, addressing both a lack of political will and an ethical compromise made in favor of business interests.

The speaker, acting as the leader of the Isamaa faction, emphasizes cooperation with the Language Board and language experts, whose approval was secured during the drafting of the bill's provisions. He/She is uncompromising regarding the delay tactics proposed by the government, demanding the swift adoption of the Language Board-backed amendments rather than waiting for new analyses. The focus of cooperation rests on professional language experts, not political partners.

The focus is on the status of the Estonian language at the national level, but specific problem areas and locations where language issues are acute are highlighted. Tallinn and Ida-Virumaa are mentioned, where foreign-language audio advertising and customer service are widespread, along with the example of menus in Tartu Town Hall Square.

We support strong national regulation within the service sector and platform work to ensure Estonian language proficiency requirements are met, extending this mandate to include couriers and taxi drivers. Our stance toward entrepreneurship is critical, particularly concerning those who exploit legal loopholes (such as Bolt) and import masses of non-Estonian-speaking labor into the country. We prioritize national interests above commercial interests.

The focus is on protecting the Estonian language and culture, linking insufficient language proficiency to mass immigration spinning out of control and posing a security threat. It demands that immigrants show respect and make the effort to acquire Estonian, in order to prevent the formation of "foreign-language slums" that isolate the population from the Estonian information sphere. It stresses that the status of the Estonian language is also tied to the education system and the motivation levels of young people.

The primary legislative focus is on amendments to the Language Act and the Public Transport Act (Bill 397), aimed at closing loopholes in language proficiency requirements within the service and public sectors. The speaker, acting as the initiator, demands, among other things, the extension of Estonian-language administration to companies with state participation, the Estonianization of domain names, and the establishment of language requirements for platform workers. Furthermore, they demand limiting the proportion of audio advertising in foreign languages (max 20%).